Switch heater



March 21, 1933.

E. L.. RUBY SWITCH HEATER Filed March 28, 1952 2A sheets-sheet 1Invert/i011: Ernst llluy,

I IS

March 21, 1933. El RUBY 1,902,339

SWITCH HEATER Filed Mach 28, 1952. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll/072175:

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Ernst Zll/u E Jwfgjwg Patented Mar. 21, 1933 i UNITED STATES ERNST L.RUBY, F JENKINTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA SWITCH HEATER Application mea Marches,.1932. serrai Nn 601,489.

This invention relates to improvements in gas burning switch hea-tersfor the protection of switches and -other parts ofjrailroad structuresagainst the interference 5 with the proper functioning thereof by theencroachment of snow and ice during cold and stormy weather.

An object of the invention is to providel a novel and radvantageousconstruction wherein the heating flame of burning gas is well protectedagainst being accidentally extinguished bythe wind and by air currentsand blasts created by rapidly moving trains passing over the heater.Another object of` the invention is to provide a heater constructionwhich, while' providing ample heat for the purpose intended, willprotect the wooden cross ties ofthe railroad from being burned orscorched by the flame of burning .20 gas during the operation of theheater.

Another object is to provide a construction and arrangement of partswherein natural gas, manufactured gas or a combination of them may beeiciently burned therein underv the adverse conditions to which switch.heaters are subjected. A further object is to provide a novel means forconnecting the heater to a railroad rail and forl holding it in properworking position with relation thereto. v

The invention resides in the elements and the combinations Yof themhereinafter described and claimed. Y

in the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, i

Figure 1 is a `transverse section, vpartly broken away, of a switchportion of a railroad structure showing my improved switch heaterapplied thereto.V

Figure 2 is a sideview, partly broken away, of the parts shown in Fig.1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the heater, on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.`

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the heater, on line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Figure 5 is aV top view of one of the burner boxes of the heater.

A Figure 6 is a bottom view of the burner box shown in Fig. 5. Y

Figure 7 is a transverse section of arail road switch showing thelpartsthereof iil-v .j lustrated=atthe-right hand side of Fig. 1,1 and`showing a Vmodified form of my.V img i proved heater, in'v section.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the yparts 55. j

shown in Fig. 7.". I

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, 2 designates thestationary track rails,"L 5 the movable switchrails, 6 the tie platessupporting the rails', and 7 the cross 60 ties'supp'orting the tieplates.

My impro-vedv swtchheater is arranged beneath the rails 2 .and -5 andwithin the', spacebetween'two adjacent cross ties 7.

A burner lbox 8 is provided for each trackl 55 rail 2 and its adjacentswitch rail 5 at each side of the switch, and the boxes 8 are con;-nected and supported by.V a fuelor gas pipe9 which extends transverselybeneath the. rails and parallelto the cross ties..` f 70 Y `Thefuelpipe' ismade in connected` sections, one of which is acentrallyarranged insulated coupling .10 to` electricallyv insulate fromeachother theparts on .the respective end portionsl of the pipe whicharein contact with the .rails 2. v

One end portion ,ofv the fuel Vpipe 9 'is provided with a collar "11,having ajaw 12 adapted to extend over and engage thel outer `flange lof`the-base 13"of one/track rail 2, 80

and the other end portion ofthe pipe 9 has a collar 14 slidable thereonand provided with -a jaw 15 adapted to extend overA and engage the outerflangev ofthe basef13 of the other -vtrackrail `2. The collar 11 may 85be xed to the pipe 9, tol prevent Voutward movement of the collar'on thepipe, or such movement may be prevented by the adjacent head 16 which isscrewed on to the pipe'to 90 close the end thereof. The pipe 9 extendsoutwardly from the collar 14 and maybe connected in any desired mannerto a suitable source kof fuel supply. Theoutwardly extending end ofthepipe 9 carries a spring 95 17 adapted to have its outer end engaged witha collar on the pipe..y The inner end of thisspring 17 engages the.collar y14 and urges it toward the collar 11 and therebjT causes thejaws 12 and 15 to grip therail .109

vWithin the box 8 are twov parallel'wallsV 21 which extend between andare connected to the end walls 20. These walls 21` extend parallel tothe side walls 19 in spaced relation thereto, the upper ends of thewalls21 being below the upper endsof the endwalls 20,A and the-lowerends ofthe walls '21 being above the lower ends ofthe endwalls 20` and the sidewalls 19, as illustrated in. the

drawings. .-v

The upper and lower ends of-the inner walls 21 are connected by upperand lower Vhorizontal .walls 22 and 23, respectively,

which have their Vends spaced `from the'end walls 20 ofthe box; Thelower wall 28 is provided with a centrally arranged air pas sage 24which extends "vertically therethrough.

The side walls 19 have their'top surfaces below the upper ends of theend walls 2O to provide passages leading from the interior of the boxand over the side walls 19 and between the end walls 20. Y 'Each box 8is supported by a section 25 of the fuel pipe 9,*and the pipe'section 25extends through the side walls 19` and the vertical inner walls-21 .ofthe box and between the upper and lower horizontal walls 22 and 28,respectively, and it is provided with fuel dischargingopenings 26 on therespective sides thereof, as shown in Figs. 3', and l1. These fueldischarging openings 26 are locatedfbetweenV thefinner'walls 21 of thebox and they are directed toward the end walls 20 thereof, the axisofthe openingsl 26 intersecting the .end walls 2O well below the upperends thereof.

-One end of the pipe section 25 extends outwardly from one side of thebox 8 and is threaded for the receptionof a coupling member 27 by meansof which the section 25 is connected tothe adjacent section of thepipep9. The other end of the pipe section 25 extends outwardly from theother side of the box 8 and has a head 218 formed thereon and providedwith a fiat lupper .surface adapted to engage` the flat'bottom surfaceof a lug 29 formed on andprojecting outvardly from the adjacent sidewall 19 of the The space between the coupling member 27 and the head 28is substantiallyequal to the space betweenthe outersurfaces of the sidewalls19 of thebox, and thus the member 27 and head 28 serveto hold thebox in Vplace against displacement thereof longitudinally of the pipe;and the engagement of the fiat top of the head 28 with the lug 29 servesto prevent relative turning of the box and the pipe section, on the axisof the latter.

' The upper ends of the end walls 20 of the box 8 are flush with thebottom surface of the adjacent track rail 2 and the box is Vpositionedbelow the rail 2 so that the base thereof will extend part way over thebox at all times, and so that the base of the adjacent switch rail 5will occupy a posi- L,tion over the box when the switch rail isconnected to a suitable source of gas sup ply under pressure. 'The gasdischarged from the openings 26 is ignited and the burning flamesprojected from the openings, strike vagainst the opposing endY walls 20of the-burner box and then extend upwardly through passages 30 providedbetween the end walls 20 and the ends of the upper horizontal wall22,and'they'1nay then extend outwardlyA over some or all of the topsurfaces of the vertical walls 19, 20 and 21 of the box. f When theswitch rail. 5 is in the closed position, shown at the left hand side ofFig. 1, the flames rising through the passages 30 at the respective endsof the box 8, impinge against the bottom surfacesof therails'2 and 5 andheat the same, and the H'ames and air currents supporting combustion maypass out between the tops of the end walls 20 and the bottom of theswitch rail Yand also out through the passages provided between the endwalls 20 and over the side walls 19.` f I When the switch rail 5 is inthe open position, shown at the right hand side of Fig. l, the majorportions of the flames rising through the passages 30 will rise throughthe space between the track rail 2 and switch rail 5 and some partsthereofV will strike the bottom of the track rail vand pass out throughthe spaces between the track rail and the top of the side wall 19beneath the same on the respective sides of the lug 29.

In any position of theswitchvrail 5 with respectto the track rail 2,suflicient air enters the open bottom ofthe box 8 and passes up throughthe same to support combustion for the production of hot flames, somevofthe upwardly moving air passing through the passage 24 in the lowerhorizontal wall 23 to the space between the inrae ner vertical walls inthe region of the gas discharging openings 26.

The arrangement of the fuel discharging openings 26 with relation to theend Walls 2O ofthe burner box 8 enables me to provide the desired hotflames for effectively preventing the detrimental accumulation of iceand snow Vbetween and about the rails of the switch, and, at the sametime, prevents the iiames from reaching and burning or scorching ordetrimentally heating the wooden cross ties 7.

I have discovered that va burner box provided with walls constructed andarranged relative to each other and to the fuel discharging openings 26of the gas pipe, not only produces the desired hot flames with the useofv either natural gas or manufactured gas or combination of the two,but also provides a construction which successfully resists theaccidental extinguishment of the flames by the wind and other aircurrents to a greater extent than any gas'burning switch heater in useprior to my invention. y

In practice, a'number of pairs of burner boxes 8 like that shown in Fig.1, are employed at a switch in the' successive spaces between adjacentcross ties, in order that the entire switch may be properly heated forthe purpose intended, and the fuel pipes of the several pairs of boxesmay be arranged and connected to be supplied with gas from a simple leadin pipe ina manner similar to the connections of the fuel pipes shownand described in LettersPatent No. 1,273,291, dated July 23, 1918.

In the modification of the invention` shown in Figs. 7 and 8 a fuel box31 is provided and constructed just like the boxes 8 shown in Figs. 1 to6, inclusive, excepting thatthe end walls of the box 31 are providedwith upwardly projecting lugs 32 andthe side walls 33 of the box 31beneath thevtrack rail 2 has its top surface flush with the top surfacesof the end walls 2O and the side wall 33 is provided with anoutwardlyextending arm 34. f

Theupp'er surface ofthe arm 34 is fitted against thebottom of the rail 2andthe outer end of the arm is provided with an upwardly projecting lug35. The lugs 32 and 35 are located adjacent to the respective sides ofthe base of the rail 2 for the purpose of engaging the same andpreventing displacement of the box 31 and its arm 34 transversely of therail. j

The rail 2 and the arm 34 and box 31 are held firmly together by meansof a spring clip 36 which embraces one side of the rail base 13 and theouter end portion of the arm 34 and clamps them together. Theclip 36 isprovided with an arm 37 which engages the top of the rail base 13, andan arm 38 which engages the bottom of the arm 34,

andthe free end of the arm 38 is provided with an upwardly projectinglug` 39 which enters a slot 40 in the arm 34 and is'adapted to engageone side wallof the slot and hold theclip in place.

The fuel pipe section 41 of the box 31.` is

like the pipe section 25 of the box 8, shown in Fig. 1 and it forms acontinuation Vof an outwardly extending-pipe 42 which may be connectedto a suitable source of gas supply. rIhe end of the pipe section 41opposite to the head 43 thereon is provided with a head or cap 44 -whichcloses the end of the pipe section. All parts of each burner box 8-shownin Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, are formedy of a single casting supported bythe fuel pipe 9, which extends through the same and which is supportedby the rails 2; andall parts of the box 31 andthe arm 34 extendingtherefrom shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are formed of a single casting which issupported by the rail 2 and which supports its fuel pipe sections 41 and`L42.' I claim as my invention',

1; In a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to be supportedbelow railroad rail in close'proximity to the bot'- tom thereof andhaving an open top and an open bottom..` and comprising side wallsadapted to extend substantially parallel'to the rail, end walls adaptedto extend transf versely'of the rail, and a substantially horizontalwall supportedy ybetween said end walls in spaced relation thereto andbelow the upper ends thereof; and a fuel pipe extending through the sidewalls-of the box and having fuel discharging openings be-y open bottomVand ,comprising side wallsv adapted to Aextend substantially parallelvto the rail, end walls adapted to extend trans.-

versely of the rail, saidn side walls havingy top k'surfaces below 'theupper ends ,of said end walls,` for the'escape-offlame between the endwalls and over the side walls, and a substantially horizontal wallsupported between said yend ywalls in; spaced-relation thereto and belowthe upper ends thereof; anda fuel pipe extending through the side wallsof the box and having fuelV discharg-v ing openings beneath saidhorizontal wall. v3. In a gas burning switch heater, a

burner box adapted to be supported below a railroad rail in closeproximity to the botrtom thereof .and having an open top and an openVbotto-m and comprising side 'walls adapted to extend substantiallyparallel to the rail, end walls adapted toextend transversely of therail, and a4 substantially hori# zontal wallA supported between said endwalls below the upperendsthereof andbeing spaced from said end walls.and also from said side walls; and a fuel pipe extending through theside walls of the box and having fuel discharging openings beneath saidhorizontal wall.

.4. In a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to be supportedbelow a railroad rail in close proximity to thebottom thereof and havingan open top andan open bottom and comprising side walls adapted toextend substantially parallel to the rail, end Walls adapted to extendtransversely of the rail,`said side walls having top surfaces below theupper ends of said end walls for the escape of flame between the endwalls and over the side walls, and a substantially horizontal wallsupported between said end .walls below-'the upper ends thereof andbeing spaced from said end walls and also from said side walls; and afuel pipe extending through the side walls of the box andhavingfueldischarging openings beneath said horizontal wall. y

5. In a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to be supportedbelow a railroad rail in close proximity to the'bottom thereof andhaving' an open top and an open bottom and comprising side walls adaptedto extend substantially parallel to the rail, and end walls adaptedtoextend transversely ofthe rail, said side walls having top surfacesbelow the upper ends of said end walls for the escape of'iiame betweenthe end walls and over the side walls; and a fuel pipe extending-throughthe side walls of the box and having fuel discharging openings directedtoward said end walls.

6. In a gas burning switch heater la burner box adapted to be supportedbelow a railroad rail in close proximity to the bottomy thereof andhaving an open top and an open bottom and comprising sidewalls adaptedto extend substantially parallel to the rail', end walls adapted toextend transversely of the rail, vertical inner walls spacedfrom theside walls and connecting the end walls, a substantially horizontal wallspaced from said end walls and connecting the upper portionsof saidinner walls; and a-fuel pipe extending through said side walls and saidinner walls and having fuel discharging openings therein between saidinner walls and beneath said horizontal wall.

7. In a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to be supportedbelow a railroad rail in close proximity to the bottom thereof andhaving an open top and an open bottom and comprising sidewalls adaptedto extend substantially parallel to the rail, end walls adapted toextend transversely of the rail, said side walls having top surfacesbelow the upper ends of said end walls for the escape of flame betweenthe end walls and over the side walls, vertical inner walls bottom andcomprising side walls adapted toV extend substantially parallel to therail, end walls adapted lto extend transversely of the rail, verticalinner walls spaced vfrom the sideV walls and connecting the end walls, asubstantially horizontal wall spaced from said end walls and connectingthe upper portions of said inner walls, a substantially horizonytal wallspaced below the first named horizontal wall and spaced from said endwalls and connecting the lower portionsof said inner walls and havinganair passage extending vertically therethrough; and a fuel pipe-extendingthrough saidsidewalls andsaid inner walls and between said horizontalwalls andhaving fuel discharging openings therein between said innerwalls and between said horizontal walls.

9. lIn a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to be supportedbelow al railroad rail in close proximity to the bottom thereof andhaving an open top and an Open bottom and comprising side walls adaptedto extend substantially parallel to the rail, end walls adapted toextend transversely of the rail,said side walls having top surfacesbelow theupper endsvof said end wallsfor the escape-ofrflamebetween theend walls and over the side walls, vertical inner walls spaced from theside walls andr connecting the end walls, a substantially horizontalwall connecting the upper portions of said inner walls in spacedrelation to said end walls and below the upper ends thereof; asubstantially horizontal wall spaced from said end walls and connectingthe upper portions of said inner walls, a substantially horizontal wallspaced below the first named horizontal wall and spaced from said endwalls and connecting the lower portions of said inner walls and havingan air passage extending vertically therethrough; and a fuel pipeextending through said side walls and said inner'walls and between saidhorizontal walls and having fuel discharging openings therein betweensaid inner walls and between said horizontal walls.

l0. In a gas burning switch heater, a burner box adapted to besupportedbelow a railroad rail in close proximity to the bottom thereofand having an open top and an open bottom and comprising sidewallsadapted to extend substantially parallel to the rail, end walls adaptedto extend transversely of the rail, and an arm extending outwardly fromone of said side walls and having a top surface adapted to engage thebottom of the rail, said box and said arm having upwardly projectinglugs adapted to engage the respective sides of the base of the rail; afuel pipe extending through said side walls and having fuel dischargingopenings Within the box, and a spring clip adapted toveinbrace said armand the base of the rail.

11. A switch heater burner box adapted to be supported below a railroadrail in close proximity to the bottom thereof and being formed of acasting comprising side walls adapted to extend substantially parallelto the rail, end walls adapted to extend transversely of the rail, anarm extending outwardly from one of said-side walls and having a topsurface adapted to engage the bottom of the rail, and spaced lugsprojecting above the plane of said surface and adapted to engage therespective sides'of the base of the rail.

12. A switch heater burner box adapted to be supported below a railroadrail in close proximity to the bottom thereof and being formed of acasting comprising side walls adapted to extend substantially parallelto the rail, end walls adapted to extend transversely of the rail, anarm extending outwardly from one of said side walls and having a topsurface adapted to engage the bottom of the rail, the side Wall remoteends thereof, an armexte'nding outwardly from one of said side walls andhaving a top surface adapted to engage the bottom of the rail, andspaced lugs projecting above l the plane of said surface and adapted toengageJ the respective sides of the base of j adapted to extendsubstantially parallel to the rail, end .walls adapted to extendtransversely of the rail, a substantially horizontal Wall supportedbetween said end walls in spaced relation thereto and below the upperends thereof, an arm extending outwardly from one of said side walls andhaving a4 top surface adapted to engage the bottom of the rail, the sidewall remote from the side wall from which the arm extends having a soYtop surface below the plane of the top sur' lface of the arm for thepassage of flame thereover, vand spaced lugsv projecting above the planeof said surface and adaptedto engage the respective sides of the base ofthe rail. Y v

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

ERNST L. RUBY.

from the side wall from which the arm extends having a top surface belowthe plane of the top surface of the arm for the passage of flamethereover, and spaced lugs,

projecting above the plane of said surfaceA and adapted to engage therespective sides j of the base of the rail.

13. A switch heater burner box adapted to be supported below a railroadrail in close proximity to the bottom thereof and being formed of acasting comprising side walls adapted to extend substantially parallelto the rail, end walls adapted to extend transversely of the rail, anarm extending outwardly from one of said side walls and having a topsurface adapted to engage the bottom of the rail, and spaced Vlugsprojecting upwardly from said end walls and said arm above the planeofthe top surface of the arm and adapted to engage the respec y tivesides of the base of the'rail.

14. A switch heater burner box adapted to be supported below a railroadrail in close proximity to the bottom thereof and being formed of acasting comprising side walls adapted to extend substantially parallelto the rail, end walls adapted to extend transversely of the rail, asubstantially horizontal wall supported between said end walls in spacedrelation thereto and below the Yupper

